10 Romantic Activities in Greymouth for Couples

Things to Do in Greymouth for Couples

Of course, Greymouth is on the honeymoon itinerary for the South Island or included in any comprehensive trip of the South Island, for that matter. Make the most of the historical and natural attractions of the West Coast town with these romantic activities in Greymouth! From glowworm caves to a replica gold mining town, there’s real diversity in this characterful town to suit a range of styles, interests and budgets. Pick the right experience for you and your loved one from this list of the things to do in Greymouth for couples.

For more romantic activities, as well as more travel advice, check out The Honeymoon Guide to Greymouth.

1. Watch the West Coast Sunset from Rapahoe Beach

Let’s begin with a romantic way to end a day in Greymouth: by watching the sunset from Rapahoe Beach. This long stretch of sand backed with coastal cliffs is an endearing location to enjoy with your loved one. Arrive earlier than sunset and you can enjoy the coastal hike of the Point Elizabeth Walkway which takes 1h45mins to walk one-way or you can just walk to the magnificent viewpoint halfway along and return the same way. Check out more walks in the area in our 10 Best Walks in Greymouth.

Location: Beach Road, Rapahoe, approximately 11km (7 miles) from Greymouth town centre.

10 Romantic Activities in Greymouth for Couples

2. Immerse in a Cultural Experience on a Greenstone Tour

Find a meaningful gift for each other while immersing in the culture of the West Coast on a tour Arahura Greenstone Tours. Join your Maori guides as they take you one a journey along the Arahura River, which is one of the richest sources of pounamu (greenstone) in on the West Coast. They’ll teach you how to search for and identify greenstone and give you the opportunity to learn how to make a necklace out of the pieces you find. Learn more about this tour on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: Arahura Bridge Heritage Park, Arahura Valley Road, approximately 33km (21 miles) from Greymouth.

3. Admire the Glittering Glowworms on a Cave Tour

Admittedly, scrambling through the streams and caves with your fun and knowledgeable local guide isn’t the romantic part of this authentic cave tour with Glow-worm Cave Tour, but once you’re under a galaxy of glittering glowworms in a remote cave, you’ll realise that you’re somewhere pretty special. Get off the beaten track and see glowworms in New Zealand in a place that not many tourists get to see. The tour lasts approximately three hours and also includes gold panning! Find out more about this tour on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: 8 Whall Street, Greymouth

4. Tackle the West Coast Wilderness Trail Together

Another adventure for the active couple is the multi-day cycling journey the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Enjoy a smooth ride on this 139km (86 miles) trail taking in rugged shorelines, surging rivers, moody lakes and ancient forests between Greymouth and Ross. Passing through the historic town of Kumara to the popular greenstone town of Hokitika, there are lots of romantic spots and hidden gems along the trail. What’s more, completing the 2-4 day trail together is an ultra-rewarding experience best shared. Find out more about the trail in the guide to Mountain Biking on the West Coast.

Location: Start from the Greymouth Railway Station, 164 MacKay Street, Greymouth.

5. Buddy Up or Go Solo on a Self-drive 4WD Tour

An exhilarating ride and good muddy fun, On Yer Bike is a 4WD off-roading park with quad bikes, 4WD buggies and a Hagglund all-terrain vehicle. The best option for couples is the self-drive Bush & Bog Track, either teaming up together in a two-seater buggy or tackling the tracks independently in a one-seater. Head deep into the native forest with waterfalls and across farmland tackling all kinds of terrain between rocky stream beds to thick mud. The tour lasts approximately two hours. Check out more offerings from On Yer Bike on Viator or Tripadvisor.

Location: 511 State Highway 6, Coal Creek, approximately 6km (4 miles) from Greymouth town centre.

6. Enjoy a Scenic Journey on the TranzAlpine Express

Fancy a trip to Christchurch? Sure, it’s on the other side of the country but the journey to get there is breathtakingly beautiful! Hop on the TranzAlpine Express from the Greymouth Railway Station and ride the rails through the Arthur’s Pass National Park awash in glorious mountains, braided rivers, bush-clad hills and farming plains on a four-hour journey to Christchurch. Take in the scenery from the open-air viewing carriages and the comfort of your spacious seat with large windows. Treat yourselves to something from the cafe carriage along the way. Book your journey or find out more information on Viator or Tripadvisor.

Location: Greymouth Railway Station, 164 MacKay Street, Greymouth.

7. Pretend You’re in a Historical Romance at Shantytown

Experience the West Coast as it used to be in the replica gold-rush town of the Shantytown Heritage Park. Wander among the Western-style streets, have a coffee in antique china cups at the cafe, get an old-timey photo at The Golden Nugget Saloon and enjoy a romantic stroll in the rainforest. Of course, this an educational experience too, so check out the working sluice gun or sawmill, watch a holographic show about the West Coast’s mining history, and even try your hand at panning for gold. Find out more about Shantytown on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: 316 Rutherglen Road Rutherglen, Paroa, approximately 12km (7 miles) from Greymouth town centre.

8. Be Inspired at the Local Art Gallery

Be sure to enjoy some downtown together and do something a little bit different like browsing the Left Bank Art Gallery. This free art gallery inside the grand former Bank of New Zealand building showcases contemporary New Zealand paintings, photography, sculptures and crafts. It’s also a great place to see pounamu (greenstone/jade) art. You might even want to buy your loved one something special from the gift shop such as handcrafted textiles, jewellery, jade, vintage pendants and carvings making for a unique souvenir to take home. For more free activities like this, head to the 10 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Greymouth.

Location: 1 Tainui Street, Greymouth.

9. Tour the Monteith’s Brewery

If you find yourself on a rainy day in Greymouth, don’t let it put a damper on your romantic getaway. Instead, take a tour of the Monteith’s Brewery! Share the experience of learning all about the brewing process from one of New Zealand’s oldest beermakers, which concludes with you learning how to pour the perfect point. With a bar and restaurant on-site, you can also share a tasting paddle of beers and ciders and pair them with some tasty meals. Learn more about the Monteith’s Brewery Tour on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: 60 Herbert Street, Greymouth.

10. Treat Your Loved One to a Romantic Night Out

With local coastal delicacies to try, like whitebait (mid-August to November), paua and blue cod, eating out in Greymouth is a must-do! A good dining option for couples includes Buccleugh’s on High specialising the aforementioned dishes, as well as local venison and vegetarian options. Similarly, Speight’s Ale House offers hearty South Island cuisine along with a range of their own beers in the charming setting of a historic building. Alternatively, head a little south to the Paroa Hotel for surf and turf to the magnificent views of the sun dipping behind the Tasman Sea. Finally, whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, don’t miss Sevenpenny, a bustling cafe and gastropub with casual indoor and alfresco areas on the main street. For more restaurant recommendations, head on over to The Foodie Guide to Greymouth.

Location: Buccleugh’s on High – 68 High Street. Speight’s Ale House – 130 Mawhera Quay. Paroa Hotel – 508 Main South Road. Sevenpenny – 9 Tainui Street.

More Romantic Activities in Greymouth

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
West Coast NZ (Regional tourism website)
Grey District Council (Local council website)

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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